Freedom Dies in Darkness: The Story of the 1968 Election and Beyond
- Thread starter 20thCenturyBoy
- Start date
Hi everyone. This is not the usual delay message. I just want to say sorry. Sorry for the constant delays. The constantly bad story writing. The typos. The simple errors that a quick 5 seconds on google could have fixed and most importantly, the constant excuses. This is a story concept with much potential and here I am just squandering it all and not doing much with it. For that, I apologize to all of you who have been loyal the last few months between everything. Thank you for your continued support and hopefully I can try to improve for all of you. The next mini chapter will be up in a few so hang tight.
Listen, it's fine. I may not speak for everyone here, but I would assume they agree with me that it's fine. Things happen, including a lack of motivation and procrastination.
Mini Chapter 3: Hubert Humphrey
Mini Chapter 3: Hubert Humphrey
Hubert Humphrey was a complicated man that few in the administration understood or really even cared to understand. Although a early civil rights supporter and a longtime politician, he had respect in all but the Nixon administration. Hubert Humphrey was miserable as Vice President during his tenure. He barely even veiled it during interviews on the shows of the day.
"Do you have any disagreements with the president on key issues?"
"Well of course considering the circumstances, we can not possibly agree on everything but we are a team and we work in spite of our ideological and personal differences."
Hubert Humphrey interview with Dan Rather on 60 Minutes, 1970
Humphrey frequently grew angered at both Nixon for the obvious acts of corruption which put him into power, and for established Republicans for doing nothing to put checks on his power. Humphrey was disgusted at the fact Wallace hadn't been rooted out. The Soviets had looked stronger with no good news in sight. And all Humphrey could do was sit in front of cameras, with a stupid corny grin answering pre written responses in order to not let slip his true thoughts.
Humphrey clearly hiding his true disposition
"It was humiliating. I was only instructed to sit in front of cameras praising Nixon. I inherited the country before Nixon and I did more to represent this country well. Under Nixon, the Soviets gained a new sphere of influence in China with almost a billion people. The economy had a minor recession, and those were just the short effects. Current situations in areas such as Greece are in part due to Nixon failing to take a stand all to appease his own political will and not the peoples ambitions." -Hubert Humphrey: What I have done and what I could have done. Written 1976, Published 2005.
Humphrey worked in the shadows to undermine Nixon and his cronies. But would it work? Would another force do Nixon in? Would Humphrey fail? Would he succeed? This was yet another layer of intrigue to what would be sure to be the most interesting midterms in recent times.
Hubert Humphrey was a complicated man that few in the administration understood or really even cared to understand. Although a early civil rights supporter and a longtime politician, he had respect in all but the Nixon administration. Hubert Humphrey was miserable as Vice President during his tenure. He barely even veiled it during interviews on the shows of the day.
"Do you have any disagreements with the president on key issues?"
"Well of course considering the circumstances, we can not possibly agree on everything but we are a team and we work in spite of our ideological and personal differences."
Hubert Humphrey interview with Dan Rather on 60 Minutes, 1970
Humphrey frequently grew angered at both Nixon for the obvious acts of corruption which put him into power, and for established Republicans for doing nothing to put checks on his power. Humphrey was disgusted at the fact Wallace hadn't been rooted out. The Soviets had looked stronger with no good news in sight. And all Humphrey could do was sit in front of cameras, with a stupid corny grin answering pre written responses in order to not let slip his true thoughts.
Humphrey clearly hiding his true disposition
"It was humiliating. I was only instructed to sit in front of cameras praising Nixon. I inherited the country before Nixon and I did more to represent this country well. Under Nixon, the Soviets gained a new sphere of influence in China with almost a billion people. The economy had a minor recession, and those were just the short effects. Current situations in areas such as Greece are in part due to Nixon failing to take a stand all to appease his own political will and not the peoples ambitions." -Hubert Humphrey: What I have done and what I could have done. Written 1976, Published 2005.
Humphrey worked in the shadows to undermine Nixon and his cronies. But would it work? Would another force do Nixon in? Would Humphrey fail? Would he succeed? This was yet another layer of intrigue to what would be sure to be the most interesting midterms in recent times.
Chapter 38: We Got Out of This Place
Chapter 38: We Got Out of This Place
“Top story of today is the removal of troops from South Vietnam. Going in accordance to the agreements with President Thieu back in June, President Nixon has begun to reduce American manpower in the country.” - Walter Cronkite CBS Evening News 1/30/1970
Walter Cronkite
Richard Nixon was pigeonholed. He had already promised peace to all Americans and the removal of all troops couldn’t just be reneged upon just like that. If Nixon didn’t want the scorn of Americans of all walks of life, he was best to stay put with his current course. Nixon, however, continued providing covert aid to the South Vietnamese government. Although weaker without American support, they were still a decent force.
“However, Nixon still had problems with the Soviets and Chinese support. He himself couldn’t directly do anything. But if he could perhaps support a very long protracted guerrilla war, America can get out and South Vietnam wouldn’t fall.”- History Channel presents: Proxies: The Cold Wars Human Toll
Nixon now had the idea in his head for the defense of Vietnam. Advisors and some training staff stayed behind to train Vietnamese. This was going to be known as Vietnamization. Nixon would bank hard on this strategy.
Nixon explaining Vietnamization. Plans were to have every American out by 1972 or so,
“Relations were icy with Nixon until his push to Vietnamize the troops in South Vietnam. Kosygin, concerned with this and other security issues, wanted a summit with Nixon. Planned in Mid-February in Moscow. This would prove a key meeting in the Cold War.”- Leaders of the Soviet Union Episode 3: The Tragedy of Alexei Kosygin
Amidst the news in Vietnam, was now the planned summit with Soviet Premeier Kosygin. Talks about such key issues such as Vietnam and nuclear weapons would certainly be brought up. Although a cold warrior, Nixon looked forward to a meeting with Kosygin.
“This was a man at Glassboro who had a civil discussion with Johnson. He didn’t even get much done but was a good diplomat. A meeting with him, especially considering his similarities to Khrushchev with his want for reforms, I felt especially confident with the circumstances before me.”- The Nixon Diaries: 1969-1977
Little did Nixon, or anyone else know. That he wouldn’t deal with Kosygin alone, but Gromyko and Podgorny as well. 3 Soviets, 1 American, what could go wrong?
“Top story of today is the removal of troops from South Vietnam. Going in accordance to the agreements with President Thieu back in June, President Nixon has begun to reduce American manpower in the country.” - Walter Cronkite CBS Evening News 1/30/1970
Walter Cronkite
Richard Nixon was pigeonholed. He had already promised peace to all Americans and the removal of all troops couldn’t just be reneged upon just like that. If Nixon didn’t want the scorn of Americans of all walks of life, he was best to stay put with his current course. Nixon, however, continued providing covert aid to the South Vietnamese government. Although weaker without American support, they were still a decent force.
“However, Nixon still had problems with the Soviets and Chinese support. He himself couldn’t directly do anything. But if he could perhaps support a very long protracted guerrilla war, America can get out and South Vietnam wouldn’t fall.”- History Channel presents: Proxies: The Cold Wars Human Toll
Nixon now had the idea in his head for the defense of Vietnam. Advisors and some training staff stayed behind to train Vietnamese. This was going to be known as Vietnamization. Nixon would bank hard on this strategy.
Nixon explaining Vietnamization. Plans were to have every American out by 1972 or so,
“Relations were icy with Nixon until his push to Vietnamize the troops in South Vietnam. Kosygin, concerned with this and other security issues, wanted a summit with Nixon. Planned in Mid-February in Moscow. This would prove a key meeting in the Cold War.”- Leaders of the Soviet Union Episode 3: The Tragedy of Alexei Kosygin
Amidst the news in Vietnam, was now the planned summit with Soviet Premeier Kosygin. Talks about such key issues such as Vietnam and nuclear weapons would certainly be brought up. Although a cold warrior, Nixon looked forward to a meeting with Kosygin.
“This was a man at Glassboro who had a civil discussion with Johnson. He didn’t even get much done but was a good diplomat. A meeting with him, especially considering his similarities to Khrushchev with his want for reforms, I felt especially confident with the circumstances before me.”- The Nixon Diaries: 1969-1977
Little did Nixon, or anyone else know. That he wouldn’t deal with Kosygin alone, but Gromyko and Podgorny as well. 3 Soviets, 1 American, what could go wrong?
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Hi. We’re going back in time a few years for tomorrow’s update. Here’s a hint of what’s in store.
Ooh, boy. I wonder what those cheese-eating surrender monkeys are going to do. I'm guessing the one with a spine doesn't resign from the Presidency.
Chapter 39: European Eccentricities
I’ll admit it, I’m not good with non American politics. So if I mess up so absurdly that it borders on Alien Space Bats, inform me so I can edit accordingly. Thank you and enjoy.
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Chapter 39: European Eccentricities (Part 1)
While America was in turmoil and the USSR in peace, the rest of the western world was ambling somewhere in the middle. Often considered the forgotten front of The Age of Desolation, Europe’s major powers often faced turmoil of their own. The first notable example was that of France. France had fallen into turmoil over President de Gaulle. Once the French national hero, the man who went to London to rebel against Nazi’s, the man who helped liberate Paris, the man who had ended French involvement in Algeria, had lost his popularity.
“Charles de Gaulle was once the liberator of Paris but now was seen as nothing more than an egotistical wannabe monarch pseudo dictator.”- The Age of Desolation Episode 7: The Forgotten Front
As a result of de Gaulle falling out of popular favor, people rioted in the streets. The riots halted France economic strength and de Gaulle had to leave France at one point. The country was at a loss of power. However, a snap election was planned as a solution. Prime Minister Georges Pompidou campaigned for stability in the republic and to fight the communist menace.
A violent scene from the protests
“That’s a nice democracy you’ve got set up there France. Would be a shame if some commies were to influence it, gain a decent foothold in your country’s politics and increase our influence in Western Europe in order to lead us on a possible world revolution amirite? And so that’s what they did.”- Oversimplified: The Age of Desolation
What happened was a shock to practically all in the western world. But not in the eastern bloc. The Soviets funded the French left during this volatile time. They funded and ensured unity by threats. Any socialists who refused to support communists would face trouble with the KGB. Because of this, many prominent socialists like Francois Mitterrand were pressured to accept the communists. The results, were not to many’s liking:
UDR: 250 seats
PCF: 77 seats
FGDS: 127 seats
PDM: 33 seats
The UDR had won a narrow majority, but communists and socialists would prove a thorn in the side of the government with their clout. Now that communists had a decent foothold in a large Western Europe country, things could only get better for the Soviets.
“This would go on to be one of Brezhnev only acts of significance as shortly later, he was mowed down by an assassins bullet.”- Leaders of the Soviet Union: Episode 2: The Forgotten Ones
More tumult followed in 1969, after a referendum failed to help de Gaulle, he resigned immediately as with his promises leading to a presidential election. Much like the last time, the Soviets pushed hard to fund the left. The leftist parties, thanks to the pressure, agreed and the results led to this number in the first round:
Georges Pompidou: 44%
Jacques Duclos: 30%
Alain Poher: 23%
Jacques Duclos
Afterwards came the second round. Once the apparent nature of a possible communist take over seemed likely, America and Great Britain sent some funds to France to fund Pompidou. The funding however, was proven unnecessary:
Georges Pompidou: 59%
Jacques Duclos: 41%
France wasn’t a communist state and it wasn’t ready to become one so voters rejected it very decisively. But the results showed an impressive win for communists in Western Europe. But while France was struggling with communism, just across the channel, another former superpower had it’s own issues.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Chapter 39: European Eccentricities (Part 1)
While America was in turmoil and the USSR in peace, the rest of the western world was ambling somewhere in the middle. Often considered the forgotten front of The Age of Desolation, Europe’s major powers often faced turmoil of their own. The first notable example was that of France. France had fallen into turmoil over President de Gaulle. Once the French national hero, the man who went to London to rebel against Nazi’s, the man who helped liberate Paris, the man who had ended French involvement in Algeria, had lost his popularity.
“Charles de Gaulle was once the liberator of Paris but now was seen as nothing more than an egotistical wannabe monarch pseudo dictator.”- The Age of Desolation Episode 7: The Forgotten Front
As a result of de Gaulle falling out of popular favor, people rioted in the streets. The riots halted France economic strength and de Gaulle had to leave France at one point. The country was at a loss of power. However, a snap election was planned as a solution. Prime Minister Georges Pompidou campaigned for stability in the republic and to fight the communist menace.
A violent scene from the protests
“That’s a nice democracy you’ve got set up there France. Would be a shame if some commies were to influence it, gain a decent foothold in your country’s politics and increase our influence in Western Europe in order to lead us on a possible world revolution amirite? And so that’s what they did.”- Oversimplified: The Age of Desolation
What happened was a shock to practically all in the western world. But not in the eastern bloc. The Soviets funded the French left during this volatile time. They funded and ensured unity by threats. Any socialists who refused to support communists would face trouble with the KGB. Because of this, many prominent socialists like Francois Mitterrand were pressured to accept the communists. The results, were not to many’s liking:
UDR: 250 seats
PCF: 77 seats
FGDS: 127 seats
PDM: 33 seats
The UDR had won a narrow majority, but communists and socialists would prove a thorn in the side of the government with their clout. Now that communists had a decent foothold in a large Western Europe country, things could only get better for the Soviets.
“This would go on to be one of Brezhnev only acts of significance as shortly later, he was mowed down by an assassins bullet.”- Leaders of the Soviet Union: Episode 2: The Forgotten Ones
More tumult followed in 1969, after a referendum failed to help de Gaulle, he resigned immediately as with his promises leading to a presidential election. Much like the last time, the Soviets pushed hard to fund the left. The leftist parties, thanks to the pressure, agreed and the results led to this number in the first round:
Georges Pompidou: 44%
Jacques Duclos: 30%
Alain Poher: 23%
Jacques Duclos
Afterwards came the second round. Once the apparent nature of a possible communist take over seemed likely, America and Great Britain sent some funds to France to fund Pompidou. The funding however, was proven unnecessary:
Georges Pompidou: 59%
Jacques Duclos: 41%
France wasn’t a communist state and it wasn’t ready to become one so voters rejected it very decisively. But the results showed an impressive win for communists in Western Europe. But while France was struggling with communism, just across the channel, another former superpower had it’s own issues.
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What if our timelines are really the same and we just wed to find the thread to connect them?
Gentleman Biaggi
Banned
(cough) thatwouldexplainportugalinthefuture (cough)
Hey LBJ is president, Nixon has a strong political past, there's a mainly southern political party, and the LPNY has grown to a point that they can expand nationally
If only George Wallace wasn't not racist and Eugene McCarthy wasn't (REMOVED)
I love how we started with a plan but now it’s evolved into something more.
Gentleman Biaggi
Banned
Oh I basically changed all of my plans for T&T within 5 minutes of posting it (I was going to have a Gore Vidal and Ron Dellums lead party that- oh my god what am I about to do)
I mean, you did threaten to change who became President in '64 if I didn't remove mention to the fact that you accidentally spoiled it on a wikibox. It seems that for you the best plan is "Whatever seems most fun at the time." And it has certainly worked so far.
Gentleman Biaggi
Banned
And I never changed the wikibox...
More like "hey will this be moderately funny or make me feel better about reality?"
Good, because another update should be up in 10 to 15 minutes
Well played son. That plug has beaten me at my own game. Though by me posting here, it keeps it relevant so... K E E P R E A D I N G